According to the Ventspils Culture Centre (kulturascentrs.ventspils.lv), the Friday Evening Walk in Ventspils is shifting its location for the first time to the historic city center along Pils iela, running from Rātslaukums to the Ostas iela intersection on August 21 from 17.00 to 24.00. The evening features multidisciplinary performances, jazz concerts, historical building projections, and interactive family activities across multiple designated zones in the Old Town.
Pils iela and Old Town Historic Atmosphere
Visitors strolling down Pils iela will encounter historical buildings symbolically opening their memory doors to reveal past events and human destinies, as reported by the Ventspils Culture Centre. Complementing the street’s historical narrative, the Annas iela courtyard hosts an artisan and home-producer market alongside Activepark children’s activities from 17.00 to 24.00.
Did you know? This marks the first time the Friday Evening Walk has relocated to Ventspils’ historic Old Town network of cobblestone streets and courtyards, according to the Ventspils Culture Centre.
Jazz and Modern Rhythm at Ventspils Groove 2026
The square opposite the cinema hosts the international modern rhythm and jazz music festival “VENTSPILS GROOVE 2026,” according to the Ventspils Culture Centre schedule. The program opens at 17.00 with performances by newly formed youth ensembles created during festival workshops. At 19.00, international jazz artists and pedagogues take the stage for the “Džeza telpa: Ventspils” masterclass leaders’ concert. This is followed at 20.30 by “Pieturam vasaru pt. 2,” showcasing original compositions by Ventspils Music High School alumni arranged by Kristers Lauriņš, and concludes at 22.00 with a jam session.
Rātslaukums Honors Maestro Raimonds Pauls
Rātslaukums’ program centers on the musical heritage of composer and pianist Maestro Raimonds Pauls, according to the Ventspils Culture Centre. The square hosts a graffiti art workshop from 18.00 to 21.00 inspired by the composer’s motifs. Musical performances feature pop studio “Jūras akmentiņi” at 18.00, followed at 19.00 by “K.R.E.D.O.”—featuring musicians linked to the group “Credo” alongside Valdis Skujiņš sharing memories of collaboration with the Maestro. The local trio “Inveids” performs popular Latvian songs at 20.30, and pop singer Žoržs Siksna takes the stage with his band at 21.30.
Courtyard Exhibitions and Theater at the Art School
The Ventspils Art School and Craft House courtyard presents a plein-air exhibition of student artwork created alongside artist Aleksejs Naumovs from 18.00 to 21.00, according to the Ventspils Culture Centre. The “Moments” photo club hosts its “Priekškars” exhibition from 18.00 to 22.00, while the Ziru amateur theater “Vērmeles” performs V. Petruševica’s play “Dārgumi” at 20.30.
Family Activities and Library Workshops
The square near the Main Library offers creative and educational family activities from 18.00 to 21.00, as detailed by the Ventspils Culture Centre. The Main Library features workshops and a Kahoot game, while the Children’s Library guides paper-craft characters based on “Kaķpēdiņa bulvāris.” The Gāliņciema Library hosts a “Theater in a Box” workshop, and the Pārventas Library brings its Make-a-thek bus for textile upcycling and clothing exchanges. Meanwhile, the Music Library marks composer Imants Kalniņš’s 85th jubilee with interactive tasks themed around the film “Emīla nedarbi.”
Alternative Venues, Cinema, and Evening Projections
Akmeņu iela courtyard screens the films “Kapteiņa Enriko pulkstenis” and “Vārnu ielas republika” in an open-air nature cinema from 18.00 to 21.00, paired with Ventspils Digital Centre children’s activities. Cinema “Rio” marks its 115th anniversary with a detective game and retro cinema exhibition. Additional attractions include the Ventspils Creative House digital planetarium sessions, safety awareness activities hosted by the State Police and State Probation Service at the Pils and Peldu street intersection, and medieval games at the Livonija Order Castle courtyard.
Evening Light Installations and Late-Night Concerts
Starting at 21.30, the Old Town transforms through light, video installations, and music, according to the Ventspils Culture Centre. Projections light up the Livonija Order Castle tower with water-painting animations accompanied by Līga & Bahs. Rātslaukums features laser graphics on the Lutheran Church wall until midnight. Akmeņu iela showcases a video animation journey titled “Visuma iemītnieki Ventspils ielās” featuring Ventspils Art School student drawings. The evening culminates at the T/N “Jūras vārti” and “SILRAK” courtyard, where DJ PM2AM and DJ ALE.MAR play from 22.00, followed by a midnight open-air concert by hip-hop artist Ozols.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Ventspils Friday Evening Walk taking place?
The event takes place on August 21 from 17.00 to 24.00 along Pils iela, stretching from Rātslaukums to the Ostas iela intersection in the Ventspils historic center, according to the Ventspils Culture Centre.
Are tickets required for the concerts and activities?
No, specific events like the hip-hop concert and the beach cafe music are listed as being without an entry fee.
What musical highlights are featured during the evening?
Key musical acts include jazz performances at the “Ventspils Groove 2026” festival, tribute concerts for Maestro Raimonds Pauls featuring Žoržs Siksna and K.R.E.D.O., soloconcerts by Normunds Pauniņš at the “Prego” courtyard, and a midnight hip-hop concert by Ozols.
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